The Economic Imperative for Improving Education - Improvements must be made to the U.S. education system if the United States is to remain competitive in the global marketplace. The nature of work is changing rapidly, making the development of knowledgeable and flexible workers an imperative. The development of this “human capital” will be a crucial task for the nation’s schools. A majority of the fastest-growing and best-paying occupations will require some form of postsecondary education. Challenges facing the United States include academic underachievement — which is exacerbated by the undemanding classes high school students frequently take — and persistent dropout rates for segments of the U.S. population. Dropouts face a bleak future in this new economy and will result in greater societal costs, as they are more likely to end up on welfare or in jail. (Office of Vocational and Adult Education, U.S. Department of Education, March 2003)...